Rating: 4 stars
Cover synopsis: This project is the result of the author's 12-month adventure in becoming a happier person. Her story will inspire readers to embrace the pleasure in their lives and remind them how to have fun.
I have a problem with self-help books that promise to increase your happiness. They usually advocate leaving your family, your house, your country, your religion, etc., to uproot your entire sense of normal. Let's face it: That's not practical -- nor is is necessary -- for most people. I was intrigued by this book because the author was determined to find more joy in her normal life. She didn't want to leave her husband. She didn't want to abandon her responsibilities.
I also found it appealing that Rubin is an awful lot like me. She's happy. She's not depressed. She's not recovering from some huge family tragedy. She just wants to get more out of her life. So she engages in 12 months of goals, drawing from what studies and great thinkers have said about increasing happiness. Things like decreasing clutter, thinking happy thoughts, biting your tongue, and generally trying to have more fun.
I especially liked a few of her "splendid truths," particularly "'The days are long but the years are short." I've been thinking about that concept a lot as a mom with small children at home. I also like the fact that in order to be happy, you have to ACT happy. And your happiness rubs off on other people. So the best way to make someone ELSE happy is to be happy yourself.
I only awarded the book 4 stars because midway through her projects didn't really apply to me, and she seemed to be losing steam, especially on her "spirituality" chapter. But she got it back in the end and, overall, this was a good, uplifting book.
